NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: Ohio State SF/PF Deshaun Thomas

As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2013 NBA draft, here is one in a series of profiles of players who could be available to the Celtics when they make their lone selection at No. 16.

DESHAUN THOMAS

Position: Small forward

School: Ohio State

Age: 21

Height: 6-foot-7

Weight: 225 pounds

Achievements:All-Big Ten first team (2013), AP All-America third team (2013), NABC All-America third team (2013), Sporting News All-America second team (2013), Hall of Fame Tip-Off Naismith Bracket MVP (2013)

Key 2012-13 stats: 19.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists

What he brings: Thomas does not have top-level athleticism, but he still led the Big Ten in scoring during his junior year of 2012-13. He is a combo forward who uses his jump shot to produce offense. Due to his lack of quickness, he is more effective in catch-and-shoot situations than shooting off the dribble.

Defensively, analysts note that he does not have the foot speed to keep up with most NBA small forwards and does not have the size to play against most NBA power forwards, leaving him without much of a role on the defensive end. He is not a strong rebounder, too, averaging only 6.0 rebounds per game last season ‘ 4.2 of which came on the defensive glass.

Notes: Thomas refused to give the Spurs his cell phone number in an interview at the combine, raising some eyebrows from a prospect who is projected to be drafted late in the second round. ‘I can’t go around giving it out to everyone,’ Thomas told the Akron Beacon Journal. ‘Now if they want to draft me, I’d be happy to give it to them.’